Derby County kick it all off with a trip to Reading on Friday night, with Frank Lampard making his competitive managerial bow at the Madejski Stadium against former Ram Paul Clement.

With a top-six spot secured last season, Lampard will be keen to replicate that again this time around, but the competition looks like it will be as healthy as ever.

Relegated Stoke City have spent big in an attempt to make an instant return to the Premier League, while Nottingham Forest have virtually an entirely new 11 and Middlesbrough have made some shrewd additions under Tony Pulis.

But how do those who know their clubs so well think the table will shape up over the next nine months?

Here are the verdicts of club writers for all 24 Championship sides.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Reporter – Gregg Evans

Newspaper – Birmingham Mail/Live

Key arrivals - There hasn't been any!

Main departures – John Terry plus all the loan players from last season - Sam Johnstone, Josh Onomah, Axel Tuanzebe, Robert Snodgrass and Lewis Grabban.

How’s your budget? Well, it was non-existent before the recent change of ownership. Now it has been significantly boosted, although there's still no official numbers. Expect loan signings rather than big-money buys.

Fans’ expectations: Promotion. Despite the recent troubles and two seasons already in the Championship, Villa fans demand a top-six finish at least, with promotion the end goal.

How’s your budget? Blues signed left-back Kristian Pedersen for around £2m in June, but have been hamstrung by a reported transfer embargo that has denied Garry Monk the chance to strengthen his squad further. This is hoping to be resolved before deadline day and would therefore allow Monk to recruit further. Blues' squad is talented, but rather thin and they're in desperate need of added depth. Plus Monk has frozen out senior keepers David Stockdale and Tomasz Kuszczak and, unable to shift them, has opted for young Connal Trueman as first choice in pre-season. He's set to start the campaign in goal.

Fans’ expectations: Realistic, I think. Promotion seems a stretch at the moment, after the lack of business that's been done to date. Many I've spoken to would be rather content with finishing above the bottom three again.

Promoted: Derby, Stoke, Middlesbrough

Relegated: Rotherham, Hull, Reading

Blackburn Rovers

Kasey Palmer has joined Blackburn (Image: Andy Clarke)

Reporter – Rich Sharpe

Newspaper – Lancashire Telegraph

Key arrivals – Jacob Davenport, Joe Rothwell, Kasey Palmer.

Main departures – None

How’s your budget? Mowbray brought back a ‘competitive budget’ from his talks with the owners. Focus so far has been on contract renewals, with seven deals done. Two undisclosed six figure fee signings have arrived, with two more permanent additions likely, which may see them break the seven figure barrier.

Fans’ expectations: Cautiously optimistic the momentum last season, plus a strong team spirit and Bradley Dack, can see them looking up, rather than over their shoulders and stabilise after relegation in 2016/17. Will need more attacking options if they are to challenge the top half though.

How’s your budget? Wanderers hadn’t spent a penny on transfer fees since January 2015 but there have broken that jinx with the £200,000 signing of Josh Magennis from Charlton. Still nowhere near the big spenders, though.

Fans’ expectations: Something more comfortable than last season’s final-day escape against Nottingham Forest. The squad has evolved and it would be good to see Wanderers’ football – so hard to watch at times last term – evolve with it.

How’s your budget? Brentford’s model when it comes to player acquisitions is buy cheap, undervalued players, develop them and sell them for a hefty profit and money is available from this process but the Bees have one of the lower budgets in the division.

Fans’ expectations: Fans have become accustomed to seeing key players depart during every transfer window but, as history has proven, Brentford have always dealt with the situation well. A push for the play-offs with a young team that is improving all the time is the expectation.

How’s your budget? There're money left in the pot. Especially - if as expected - Joe Bryan is sold too.

Fans’ expectations: Most fans are optimistic for the new season despite the club selling its best players in the off season. A top half finish would be decent after a transitional summer. That might be possible after some good Championship recruitment.

How’s your budget? There has been much talk of Derby needing to trim a top-heavy squad and cut the wage bill. This remains the plan and is needed although the Rams have brought in four new faces.

Fans’ expectations: The arrival of Frank Lampard has provided the fans with a lift after the Rams lost in the play offs last season. Lampard's appointment is intriguing, and the unknown of how he will fare in his first job as a manager adds to the excitement. There is always an expectation surrounding Derby, and an expectation of another top-six finish which is something they have achieved in three of the last five seasons although Lampard deserves time, as all new managers do. I have tipped Derby for promotion through the play offs in recent season. Maybe I jinxed them! So this time I won't tip them very much in the hope that they prove me wrong!

How’s your budget? Tight to say the least. Gone are the days of signing £10million strikers as austerity bites at the KCOM. The Tigers have spent around £2.5m so far this summer and still have plenty of holes in the squad still to fill.

Fans’ expectations: It’s fair to say last season fell way below supporter expectations as the Tigers found themselves in a battle to avoid relegation. Big names have left and despite Nigel Adkins’ attempts to bolster depleted levels of optimism most fans would be happy with the security of midtable.

Promoted: Stoke, West Brom, Middlesbrough

Relegated: Rotherham, Ipswich, Bolton

Ipswich Town

Martyn Waghorn of Ipswich Town during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Leeds United (Image: Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

How’s your budget? – It was frees and loans galore for years under Mick McCarthy. There will be no injection of cash by owner Marcus Evans, but new boss Paul Hurst has been assured he can spend whatever he raises in sales. Webster’s fee has helped. Cashing in on Martyn Waghorn in order to buy two or three more remains an option.

Fans’ expectations – Pragmatic heading into a 17th successive season in the second-tier on a restricted budget. Some increased entertainment value, a win against Norwich and a bit of cup fun (all of which have been in short supply) is all anyone wants.

Promoted: Stoke, Middlesbrough, Derby

Relegated: Rotherham, Hull, Bolton

Leeds United

Leeds United celebrate their opener at Derby County (Image: Andy Clarke)

How’s your budget? - Well, isn't that the million dollar question. After an extremely slow start to the summer window Leeds have finally managed to add some significant talent to their squad. The arrivals of Barry Douglas and Patrick Bamford mean the spend is around the £10m mark thus far. Mix that with the loans of Lewis Baker, Jamal Blackman and Jack Harrison and United’s squad is starting to take shape. I would expect (or hope) possibly another £5m-£10m will be spent this summer mixed with the sale of Ronaldo Vieira for around £7m to Serie A side Sampdoria.

Fans’ expectations - With the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road expectations for the season ahead skyrocketed but have somewhat tempered in recent weeks. United’s capture of Patrick Bamford has been seen as a bit of a coup but many still believe the squad is lacking the depth to challenge this season. If Leeds can get a few more deals over the line many fans will be hoping (and expecting) a top six finish at the very least this season - whether that is realistic or not is yet to be seen.

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Millwall

Lee Gregory of Millwall celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with his team mates during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Cardiff City at The Den (Image: James Chance/Getty Images)

How’s your budget? – While other clubs pull off multi-million pound deals without a blink of the eye, Millwall will continue to operate on one of the division's tightest budgets. Priority this summer was to keep prize assets like Jake Cooper, Shaun Hutchinson and George Saville.

Fans’ expectations – The Lions set the bar high as they majorly over-achieved to finish eighth. If they can steer clear of major injuries then a top-10 finish is on the cards again.

Promoted: Stoke, Middlesbrough, Derby

Relegated: Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton

Norwich City

Josh Murphy has left Norwich City (Image: Harry Murphy/Getty Images)

Reporter – Paddy Davitt

Newspaper – Eastern Daily Press

Key arrivals thus far – Jordan Rhodes on a season long loan from Sheffield Wednesday and Finnish international striker Teemu Pukki. Norwich were one of the lowest Championship scorers last season and that has been the main thrust of their summer business. Felix Passlack, on loan from Borussia Dortmund, and a permanent deal for former FC Augsburg midfielder Moritz Leitner continue the German-theme under head coach Daniel Farke.

Main departures – James Maddison. Joined Leicester City for a club record fee north of £21m. Josh Murphy also made the switch to the Premier League in a move to Cardiff City.

How’s your budget? – The Premier League parachute money ran out over the summer. The mantra is now to bring in a transfer surplus and lower the wage bill. Selling two of their brightest young talents means they are in a stable financial position. But the era of £3m plus deals on player targets is over for now.

Fans’ expectations – City finished 14th under Farke last season. That was packaged as one of transition with a new football model off the park and massive turnover of players on it during the past 12 months. But Norwich fans will not accept that again and the bare minimum is cracking the top 10.

How’s your budget? – Forest broke their transfer record to land Joao Carvalho from Benfica for 15m euro and spent £6m on Lewis Grabban. They are having a good go at it this summer.

Fans’ expectations – It is traditionally more hope than expectation at Forest, following two decades outside the top flight. But this season, the feeling is that they have a squad that is good enough for a top six finish at least.

How’s your budget? - Probably one of the lowest four or five in the division although fees have been paid for four players so far and cash is available for a couple more signings before the deadline. North End operate within their means and like to look to League One/Two for up-and-coming talent. They also like the Irish market, Graham Burke the latest signing from the League of Ireland.

Fans’ expectations - After finishing in seventh, only two points outside the play-offs, expectation has risen among the supporters. They liked what Alex Neil did in his first season in charge, giving North End fresh energy and changing the mantra from 'we're happy to be here' to one of 'we're going for it'.

Promoted - Stoke, Middlesbrough, Preston (play-offs).

Relegated - Rotherham, Bolton, Birmingham

QPR

Steve McClaren poses for a photo, as he is officially unveiled as the Queens Park Rangers new manager (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Main departures – Nedum Onuoha, James Perch, Jamie Mackie and Jack Robinson (all released), Alex Smithies sold to Cardiff City

How’s your budget? – Practically non-existent after the club reached a settlement on their FFP dispute. Any signings are likely to be bargain deals, free transfers and loans.

Fans’ expectations – Given the implications of a transfer embargo and a hefty FFP fine, fans are typically realistic in their aspirations. QPR finished 16th last term and finishing anywhere around the same place has to be seen as a success given the circumstances.

Promoted: Swansea, Stoke City, Middlesbrough

Relegated: Rotherham, Bolton and Wigan

Reading

Reading boss Paul Clement during the pre-season friendly with Fulham (Image: Get Reading)

How’s your budget? - Not a lot to play with. Can't see more than a couple of million being spent on any one player. The only way is if they sell Liam Moore - the most saleable asset - for a significant fee.

Fans’ expectations - Given the summer recruitment so far, not too high. They're hoping for an improvement on last season's display which is not hard as they can't steep any lower.

Promoted - Stoke, Middlesbrough, Norwich City

Relegated - Bolton, Rotherham, Ipswich

Rotherham United

Rotherham United players and fans celebrate Richard Wood's first goal against Shrewsbury Town (Image: PA)

How’s your budget? - Decent. United broke their transfer record to sign John Egan and have offered £5m for Martyn Waghorn at Ipswich. They're still nowhere near the bigger hitters of the division, though.

Fans’ expectations - Probably divided between thinking they'll go better than last season, tenth, and worrying that they'll struggle a little without any new incomings.

How’s your budget? - After three years of heavy spending on recruitment, the Owls have been forced to make cut backs in an attempt to comply with profitability and sustainability regulations. Boss Jos Luhukay has had little money to play with since taking over the reins last January.

Fans’ expectations - Expectation levels are not as high following the team's disappointing 2017/18 campaign. And given their lack of transfer activity, most fans would probably take another year of consolidation.

Main departures – Wingers Xherdan Shaqiri and Ramadan - and hopefully a few more to follow

How’s your budget? - The owners have backed Gary Rowett thus far and don't look as though they intend to die wondering when it comes to winning promotion at the first time of asking

Fans’ expectations - The mood has swing markedly thanks to the summer changes in management/players and there's definitely a feel-good factor that probably means an expectation of a minimum top-6 finish among the majority of fans

How’s your budget? - Very little has been spent so far this summer with Swansea having restructured their recruitment department amidst a need to offload some of their higher earners following relegation. Expect more new faces before the window shuts but the rebuilding job will take time.

Fans’ expectations - Very few are looking at the prospect of promotion with a mid-table finish the general expectation. This needs to be a longer-term project and Graham Potter needs time and patience to help get things back on track.

How’s your budget? - Having splashed out on Sam Johnstone and spent money too on Kyle Bartley, Albion remain in the black for this window. They've made a tidy profit on James McClean and have got their money back on Ben Foster after seven years of service. Expect them to spend more before the window shuts.

Fans’ expectations - Naturally, promotion is on the minds of many fans having come down from the top flight last season. They're among the favourites with the bookies, but it must be pointed out that Albion have won just six of their last 47 league matches - that's form that should temper expectations of repeating what Wolves did, at least!

How’s your budget? – With the club in the midst of a takeover, boss Paul Cook hasn't had much funds at his disposal, only shelling out for one player (Da Silva Lopes) so far. But at the same time he's kept hold of all of his key players from the League One title-winning side.

Fans’ expectations – While the younger end of the fanbase remain hopeful of a Premier League return, the older end still see the Championship as the club punching above its weight and are happy to be here. The truth is probably somewhere in between, and the security of mid-table will be the aim.